What is the ‘Honeymoon Phase’ of Diabetes?
According to the American Diabetes Association, the honeymoon phase for diabetes can last anywhere from one week up to a full year.
What is the Honeymoon Phase of Diabetes?
The honeymoon phase of diabetes is a short time period, usually right after a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis. During this phase, you usually need little to no additional insulin to manage your blood sugars. While it may be a brief remission of diabetes, but will not last forever. During this time, the pancreas is still able to secrete some insulin, but it’s usually not enough to keep blood sugars in range. Some people may not need any insulin during this phase and some may only need a little (3 – 5 units of insulin per day) to keep sugars in range.
Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune condition, where the body thinks certain tissues are foreign and attacks them to get them out of the body. In the case of Type 1 diabetes, the body destroys the beta-cells in the pancreas, aka insulin-producing cells.
This phase of diabetes depends on many how much of the insulin-producing part of the pancreas still works when you are diagnosed. Not all patients will experience a honeymoon phase, those that are lucky enough to have the honeymoon phase will have it for about 6 – 8 months, but for some, it can last as little as one week.
Whether or not you need to take insulin in your honeymoon phase depends on how high your sugars are and how much you respond to insulin. This is something that is unique to each individual so definitely talk to your provider about this. Most will still need some insulin throughout their honeymoon phase, but usually not as much insulin and possibly fewer injections.Does the Honeymoon Phase Mean Your Type 1 Diabetes Is Cured?
No, this phase just means you are in temporary remission but not cured. There is currently no cure for Type 1 diabetes. Depending on when you are diagnosed there may be medications that can be used to extend the honeymoon phase. There is no sure way to make this phase last longer, but research has shown that exercise and a healthy diet can possibly extend it by a few weeks.
Summary The honeymoon phase is a short period of remission that some patients with Type 1 diabetes will experience. This phase usually occurs shortly after diagnosis, and can last as little as one week or as long as one year.
During this time, the pancreas is still producing some insulin. This means some may not need nearly as much insulin, if any at all, to keep their blood sugars in range. Although it may seem like it, the honeymoon phase does not mean your diabetes is cured.
